A Blustery Day On The Harlem Line
A snowy January provides scenic winter views from Wassaic to Grand Central
The Harlem Line, one of five main lines on MTA Metro-North Railroad, stretches 82 miles (132 km) with 38 stations across its route from Wassaic, New York, to Grand Central Terminal. A staple of transport east of the Hudson River, the line serves as a necessary mode of transport for commuters in upstate New York and western Connecticut. On January 11th, 2025, I rode the line from Southeast Station to Grand Central Terminal for a night in the city.
There’s not much charm to Southeast Station; it doesn’t have the historical reverence of a New Haven Union Station, and doesn’t present a cute waiting area found in a small station like New Canaan. Southeast Station isn’t memorable, yet it’s a very practical commuting point for locals. Although Brewster Station is only ten minutes away, Southeast has more than enough parking with its large oblong lot that stretches past the north and south ends of the platform. Its location off the highway is also convenient, with only one intersection to deal with before turning down the wooded Independent Way.
Southeast is an important, if not the most important, station on the Harlem Line. Everything south of Southeast Station is electrified, while the northern 29 miles to Wassaic employs diesel locomotives. Although there are some direct trains from Grand Central to Wassaic during rush hour, Southeast Station typically serves as the transfer station for passengers traveling north.
After walking up and down the stairs that lead to the platforms I boarded the Bombardier M7A, taking a breather in the comfy (but firm) blue and teal seats. My 53 mile cruise would take 93 minutes, stopping at 14 stations between Southeast and Grand Central.
The Harlem Line provides a little bit of everything in terms of scenery. On my ride south I saw landscapes lined with light snow from the accumulation overnight, and icy bodies of water creating a picturesque winter scene. From what I could see through the trees, a dozen people were having fun on a frozen reservoir near East Branch Croton River. Halfway to Manhattan your view starts to change as you reach more densely populated suburbs. In Valhalla we passed the largest cemetery I’ve ever seen, with an endless amount of graves scattered on a hill.
Much of the ride follows the Saw Mill River Parkway, as well as I-684, the Taconic State Parkway, and the Bronx River Parkway. Most of these views were new to me; I was able to see much more than the last time I rode this line back in July when verdant green leaves and long tree branches blocked much of the view. In warmer weather it feels like you’re traveling through a small green tunnel rather than a Metro-North line. Below is a video from July of water views being blocked.
At White Plains the amount of passengers seemingly doubled, leaving some resorting to standing in the vestibule. What was once the peaceful sound of tracks underneath the railcar became the chatter of teens and adults alike, galvanized with Saturday afternoon energy headed towards the city. I loathe the organized chaos but revel in the camaraderie of a crowded train. In today’s digital world there’s few places where the feeling of community can be formed at random like a train.
After passing through the Bronx and Harlem 125th Street, we slowly pulled into Grand Central Terminal through the dark underground tunnels that feel like caves. As I stepped onto platform 106 I made my way to the always pretty main concourse filled with both commuters and tourists alike.
According to the MTA’s 2023 Annual Ridership Report, the Harlem Line recorded 18.32 million passengers in 2023, a 22% increase from 2022. These numbers are down from pre-pandemic totals but have gradually recovered each year since 2020, in line with other Metro-North lines. Like I’ve mentioned in my writing about other lines, the demand for reliable public transportation is always there in a world with issues like climate change and the rising cost of living plaguing society. Modes of public transit like the Harlem Line benefit everyone east of the Hudson River whether they’re aware of it or not.
For more on my day on the Harlem Line, watch my Youtube video below.